Read a book...gave it away to a friend...What was it called?

About 6 or 7 years ago I bought this book for a friend, read it, gave it to her, and never saw it again. Here's what I can remember:

- It was three books in one.
- One story was about a deaf mute thief/cat burgaler who became friends with a woman that worked at a pub.
- The last story was about this team that went to investigate a deserted facility or ship. I remember there were two soldiers and a young girl whom they referred to as an esper.
- All I can recall of the first story was it centered around a female character.
- There was a woman on the cover.

I know this isn't alot of info but if anyone knows anything about it, could you let me know? I would love to buy it and read it again.

It's funny, because that's not the cover I remember but it's definitely the book. I've been dying to read it again, and maybe I'll read some more of that series as well. I'm marching over to Amazon.ca as we speak to order a copy.